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Joe Blanton

Mariners Targeting Blanton?

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So far this winter, we haven’t heard much about the Mariners getting involved for Joe Blanton.  However, Buster Olney says today that "it appears they are in the thick of the trade bidding" for the 27 year-old righty.  Blanton has a career ERA of 4.10 with a below-average K/9 of 5.24 and better-than-average BB/9 of 2.37.

Olney believes Adam Jones would be required for Seattle to acquire Blanton.  Along with Jones, Carlos Gonzalez, Daric Barton, Kurt Suzuki, and Travis Buck could be the makings of a solid, cheap offensive core for Oakland.  Olney believes the Mets and Reds could be other clubs eyeing Blanton.

The Mariners are still scrambling for two starters after missing out on Hiroki Kuroda.  According to Larry Stone, they’re still after Erik Bedard.  Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse might also become targets if the bigger names fall through.

Indians Rumors: Haren, Blanton, Bedard, Inge

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Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer gets the Indians rumor mill churning.

  • As we mentioned earlier today, the Indians have spoken to the A’s about Dan Haren and Joe Blanton.  They’ve also inquired on Erik Bedard.  The Tribe is quietly looking to pair C.C. Sabathia with another ace.  Such an acquisition would soften the blow if Sabathia leaves after the ’08 season.  Hoynes says a Haren acquisition might require one player from the Indians’ 25-man roster plus at least one near MLB-ready guy.
  • The Tribe had brief talks with Detroit about Brandon Inge, but they’ve moved on.  Doesn’t seem to be much interest in Inge.
  • Cliff Lee and Kelly Shoppach weren’t part of the Jason Bay discussions.  Instead, the Pirates were looking for a slew of the Indians’ best prospects.  It seems the Bay talks have since cooled.

A’s Rumors: Jenkins, Haren, Swisher

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Susan Slusser and Rick Hurd check in with the latest on Billy Beane and the A’s.

  • Hurd indicates that the A’s might have some interest in free agent Geoff Jenkins.  It’s a sign that the A’s might be playing for 2008, after all.  Slusser wonders whether Barry Bonds rumors are next to surface, if that’s the case.
  • The D’Backs put together a five-player offer for Dan Haren, including Carlos Gonzalez and Brett Anderson.  Slusser says there’s a "slim chance" of a deal.  Likewise the Dodgers are not close to anything on Joe Blanton.
  • While the Cubs have liked Nick Swisher for some time, they’ve never impressed the A’s with an offer.
  • Beane had some talks yesterday with Huston Street’s agent about a long-term pact.
  • The best quotes of the day yesterday came from Beane in reference to our debacle of a three-way trade rumor.  Beane labeled it the "all-time most ridiculous" trade rumor and "laughable."  It sounds like it almost knocked Beane off his exercise bike.

Joe Blanton Rumors: Wednesday

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As you know, Joe Blanton is considered the young hurler Billy Beane really wants to trade now.  I saw him likened to Ted Lilly – a guy you trade because he’s getting more expensive but not better.

Susan Slusser says the Dodgers "have a strong interest in Blanton."  This dates back to last summer.  The Dodgers, of course, are also in the mix for Erik Bedard.  Slusser also says the Mets are a possibility but lack the young talent the Dodgers have.

Wouldn’t be surprising to see the Phillies check in on Blanton; they did so in July.

Dan Haren Will Be Pricey

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UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 11:09pm: Hank Steinbrenner weighed in on the Haren-Yankees talks, calling Billy Beane’s request "ridiculous."  The Yankees are out on Haren.

UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 2:00pm: Nick Piecoro’s source says Conor Jackson is not a part of the Haren talks, actually.

UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 12:13pm: The Boston Herald’s Rob Bradford says the A’s and D’Backs have had "constructive talks" about Haren for Carlos Gonzalez, Conor Jackson, and two others.

FROM 12-4-07 at 10:58am:

OK, you already knew that.  But Joel Sherman has details.

  • Billy Beane sees Dan Haren as equal in value to Johan Santana, all things considered.  Over the next three years, that could be true – plus Haren is much more reasonable in terms of salary.
  • Beane’s focus is young pitching.
  • Beane doesn’t want Melky Cabrera from the Yankees.  He wants a package starting with Phil Hughes and one of Ian Kennedy or Alan Horne.
  • Sherman says the Mets don’t have the blue-chippers in Mike Pelfrey, Phil Humber, and Kevin Mulvey. 
  • The Dodgers and D’Backs match up better for Haren than the Yankees and Mets, though Arizona doesn’t really have the young pitching.
  • Joe Blanton won’t be cheap either; Beane equates him with Brad Penny.
  • Athletics Nation believes Blanton is much more likely to be traded than Haren this winter.

D’Backs Rumors: Haren, Kuroda, Carlos Gonzalez

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MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert has some trade rumors to digest this evening concerning the D’Backs.

  • Arizona had discussions with the A’s about Dan Haren today.  Many names were thrown about.  Conor Jackson was not involved.  The A’s asked about Max Scherzer and were told he’s not available.  We learned earlier that Carlos Gonzalez’s name came up. 
  • By the way, the D’Backs aren’t interested in Joe Blanton.
  • Arizona is still around 3/30 on Hiroki Kuroda.
  • The Rangers inquired about Carlos Gonzalez but wouldn’t consider parting with Eric Hurley for him.
  • The Nats are indeed interested in Miguel Montero, as reported previously.

Chronicle Rumors: Haren, Blanton, Lincecum

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Susan Slusser and John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle have an extensive collection of A’s and Giants rumors from Monday’s Winter Meetings mayhem.

  • The asking price for Dan Haren is said to be massive, is in 3-4 blue chippers.  The Tigers might even be willing to part with both Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin for him – wow.  The D’Backs are a bit more gunshy about their top prospects, though most believe Carlos Gonzalez to be available.  I imagine Justin Upton is off limits.
  • The Dodgers are going the hardest after Joe Blanton, with the Mets trailing. 
  • Huston Street is likely to stay put and may even talk extension with the A’s.
  • The authors don’t expect Brian Sabean to get the Tim Lincecum offer he needs to pull the trigger.  But they suggest Sabean’s "interesting" offer could involve Jay Bruce, Edwin Encarnacion, or Alex Rios.

Tigers Willing To Trade Miller In Haren Deal?

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A short note from Yahoo’s Tim Brown: the Tigers were apparently willing to put stud starter Andrew Miller in a deal for Dan Haren.  It’s interesting to hear that the Tigers inquired on Haren.  You have to figure Miller or Cameron Maybin would be a requirement.

Meanwhile Brown reiterates that the D’Backs checked in on both Haren and Joe Blanton.  Arizona may have also checked in on Ian Snell, if you believe lobby fodder.

Odds and Ends: Cabrera, Blanton, Haren, Sabathia

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Let’s round ’em up.

  • Indians GM Mark Shapiro will soon get a contract extension offer for C.C. Sabathia approved by ownership.  Then he’ll put that in front of Sabathia’s agent, with an eye on resolving the situation one way or another before Spring Training.  Shapiro’s model will not be Johan Santana’s upcoming deal but rather Jake Peavy’s three-year, $50MMish extension.
  • White Sox outfielders Ryan Sweeney and Brian Anderson might be on the fringe.  The Marlins, if I recall correctly, once had interest in Anderson as a center field option.
  • Miguel Cabrera is out to prove he’s a good athlete and can stay at third base – he’s beginning a rigorous workout program like nothing he’s ever done before.
  • The D’Backs could pursue Joe Blanton or Dan Haren, while the Yankees may turn to Haren if they fail to acquire Johan.
  • The Yankees are receiving a lot of interest in The Farnz, according to Brian Cashman.

Beane Has High Asking Price For Haren

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Did you expect anything different?  Billy Beane is happy to field offers on Dan Haren and Joe Blanton, but he’ll require a king’s ransom for either pitcher.  Jayson Stark says Beane asked the Yankees for two of Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Ian Kennedy for Haren.  With the Red Sox it was two of Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester, and Jacoby Ellsbury.  The Mets would have to pony up Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez.  With two starters under contract through 2010, Beane and the A’s are sitting pretty.

One source of Stark echoes the popular sentiment that Miguel Cabrera in an Angels uniform would prompt a full-on A’s firesale.  That would include Huston Street, Dan Johnson, Mark Kotsay, and Rich Harden.  You have to admit, that would be fun.  Maybe the Brewers won’t give up Rickie Weeks for Chad Cordero, but how about Street?

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